If you tuned in to this morning's "The Today Show" on NBC to see the segment on Freedom High grad John Lahutsky, I hope you watched very closely and didn't blink. As sometimes happens on these live shows, a last-minute change was made. The story of why John was invited to be on the show during the New York Yankee's HOPE week did not air, except for a one- or two-second clip in which he wasn't identified.

Although it didn't make TV, it did make "The Today's Show" website. Above is a clip of John being reunite with his childhood friend, Andrei, whom he hasn't seen for 14 years. They spent the first few years of their lives together in a Russian orphanage.

John, who co-authored a book that chronicles those years of his life spent in hellish conditions in a Russian orphanage, is in New York today and was on the set of "The Today Show" living a dream as today's honoree of Yankee HOPE week. Started three years ago, HOPE (Helping Others Persevere & Excell) week honors individuals, families or organizations that "our worthy of recognition and support." The team offers acts of goodwill to provide hope and encouragement to the recipient.

John, a Yankee's fan since coming to this country more than 12 years ago, when he was adopted by Paula Lahutsky of Bethlehem Township, was nominated to be an honoree by Lehigh Valley Yankees Fan Club president Chuck Frantz. He will spend today through Sunday in NYC as a guest of the ball club. John joined the fan club about a year ago. His positive attitude, ability to overcome adversity and drive to succeed and keep his cerebral palsy from placing limits on what he can do made a deep impression on Chuck.

John thought he was going to New York today as a follow-up to an hour-long segment about him on NBC's "Dateline" that aired in April. He had no clue he'd meet Yankee manager Joe Girardi and spend the day with the ball club.

John's biggest surprise was his reunion with Andrei, who was John's best friend during his stay at the orphanage. The two were separated when Andrei was adopted by a family that eventually brought him to the United States and recently settled in Michigan. On TV this morning, a very brief clip of John and Andrei backstage was shown after the HOPE week clip this morning and show co-host Matt Lauer mentioned a special reunion, but John and Andrei were not identified.

Together, John and Andrei, with families and friends Chuck Frantz and his wife, Mary, will get a tour of the NBC studio, then head by horse and carrriage to the Central Park Zoo for lunch with Yankee team members. They'll attend batting practice and throw out the first pitch at tonight's game. The Yankees will make a donation to one of John's favorite causes, The Miracle League of Northampton County, for which he is a member of the board. And John, Andrei, their families and friends will spend the remainder of the weekend in New York as guests of the Yankees.

Accompanying John on his Yankee adventures today is Morning Call sports writer Keith Groller. You can read all about it Sunday in The Morning Call or at www.themorningcall.com.